Hi,
I hope to buy a Golden puppy early next year. I went to the show in Birmingham at the weekend and looked at lots of dogs to get an idea of what I like. I then talked to a breeder who lives quite close to me. But as this is my first puppy, how do I know if she is a reputable breeder? We talked about her dogs (who have a gorgeous temperament!); health issues; etc. She was quite happy for me to go over to her house at any time and see the bitch see intends to breed from.
Can anyone give me any advice? What should I look for/be asking her?
Thanks
Sarah

Hi Sarah

Did you by any chance have your daughter and her pram and dolly with you ? If so I chatted to you too with my pup Phoebie :D If not never mind - it's just I spoke to a woman who told me she had possibly found a breeder at the show from the Midlands area :)

Have a look at these sites (clickable links) and you will find the answers to the questions you've asked.

http://www.goldenretrievers.co.uk

http://www.thegoldenretrieverclub.co.uk/

http://www.champdogs.co.uk/guided/gundog_golden-retriever.html

It is so refreshing to find someone who is thinking of all these things before rushing out and buying a pup. Hope you stay around and post any questions - we're a friendly bunch (well most of the time ;) )

Sara :)

edited : oops - I see you've been around a little while - I missed your earlier posts as my computer was poorly for a while and I didn't see quite a few posts or I would have replied to those posts too

Hi Sara,
Thanks for your reply.
No, that wasn't me at the show. I had read that a few of you were going to be there at the weekend, but didn't know what any of you looked like, so I just talked to a couple of people I met there.
I'm just a bit wary about choosing a breeder, as I want my puppy to be perfect! :) I have had a browse through the websites you have given. From what I can tell, the breeder sounds okay. I hope to visit later in the year to see her bitch and other dogs. I guess I have an advantage in that I have met the stud dog (who I would have taken home with me there and then - but his owner wouldn't let me!)
Thanks,
Sarah
PS. I've had a look at the photos of Phoebie - I hope my pup looks as lovely as she does!

Hi Sarah

Where do you live in the UK ?

Dessie

Hi Dessie,

I live in Solihull in the West Midlands. I have had a look at your website, which has loads of really useful stuff about choosing a breeder; what to ask; etc, and answers many of the questions I had - thanks!

Sarah

There used to be a really good breeder of Goldens who lived in Solihull. I can't remember their address and I don't know if they still breed but they also judged all over the world. We mated our bitch to one of their stud dogs Sh Ch Westley Munro of Nortonwood (sadly long departed). The breeders were Mr and Mrs Bradbury. If you wanted to use one of their stud dogs you had to apply with a copy of your bitches pedigree because they wanted to make sure the match was suitable.
Glad you managed to the show and good luck.
Dot

Hi Sarah

Glad you found it useful. Of course it isn't all my own input I had help from some very good friends :D :D

Dessie

Hi Sarah,
Maybe we will get to meet at a future show :)
Thanks for the compliments about Phoebies pics :D
Good luck in getting the pup - reading the other posts in the thread it sounds like you have got lots of useful information now :D
Sara :)

Hi , well it has taken me since May this year to find my new pup ( GSD) , After losing one with HD at 11 months old . I went to see the breeders before the bitch had been mated , i met all they dogs encluding the bitch , i was there for over an hour just discussing the breed , they methods as to why they breed ect ect . They were very friendly , very imformative about the good and bad sides of breeding , also about the dogs they had there . They showed me dad via a pic ( german import ) & told where he was and how to contact them . I left , thought about all they said and made my mind up after about a month and put a deposit on one . We rang up on several times on how mum was doing ect ( they didn't mind abit in fact incouraged it ) . When the pups were born they rang us up to let us know . We have since been to see the pups & said we could go up and see them at any time . To cut a long story short , i felt very comfortable with buying one of their pups as they were not just interested in getting the money out of me . Hope this helps a little .
Rambs
Edited to say : love your woody ( GSD fan here )& of course your other beauty's, shame to lose him so young

Hi Rambs - thanks for the compliments about Woody. It was a terrible shame to lose him so young as you say. I love GSD's but after his loss decided to go for a completely different breed so I wouldn't be comparing all the time.
Nice to hear a pup will soon be with you and you are so happy about the breeders :) The breeder of my last pup is now a very close friend and it is wonderful to have that relationship with her and she is always there for me with advice, help and encouragement - that alone is worth the purchase price of the pup :)
Sara